Technique for producing string compositions



June 24, 1969 s; FULLER 3,451,379

TECHNIQUE FOR PRODUCING STRING COMPOSITIONS Filed Feb. 2, 1965 IO Ti s.

i. .E. I INVENTOR. 1 60s Hams/ Arr-0pm United States Patent Olfice 3,451,879 TECHNIQUE FOR PRODUCING STRING COMPOSITIONS Sue Fuller, 44 E. 63rd St., New York, N.Y. 10021 Filed Feb. 2, 1965, Ser. N 429,728 Int. Cl. B44f 3/ US. Cl. 161-5 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A method and the resulting article of forming a string decorative panel. A colored string is wound upon a notched light transmitting plastic matrix forming an abstract pattern which is subsequently embedded in light transmitting plastic.

This invention relates generally to the production of stringed art compositions, and more particularly to a technique for embedding a string composition within an acrylic panel whereby the composition effectively floats within a transparent medium.

In the field of non-objective art, one well-known technique for creating geometric configurations having aesthetic value is by means of wire or textile strands which are looped or strung between spaced pegs extending from a frame or armature. The wires are arranged in complex intersecting paths to form geometric patterns constituting an abstract composition. Since the observer sees both the strings and the supporting frame therefor, a degree of aesthetic interference is encountered, for while the exposed frame forms no part of the composition, it is nevertheless essential to its erection.

Accordingly, it is the main object of this invention to provide a string composition formed by intersecting pat terns of wire or thread, which composition is without any apparent support and is therefore free of aesthetic interference.

More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a technique for making compositions of the abovedescribed type wherein the strings are wound about a translucent matrix which is embedded within a translucent panel whereby the composition appears to float within a clear medium.

Also an object of the invention is to provide a string composition which may be readily assembly at relatively low cost.

A significant advantage of the present invention resides in the fact that by using an acrylic matrix embedded in a cast acrylic sheet or panel, the string composition wound about the matrix can be viewed through a medium which affords a clear, undistorted optical image. Another advantage of the invention is that unlike conventional string compositions, the wires or strands are merely wound about the matrix without tension, hence no distortion is introduced in the composition by reason of strain effects.

For a better understanding of the invention, as well as other objects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following detailed description to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a string composition in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 shows in perspective a matrix on which string is being wound;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a stringed matrix;

FIG. 4 is a section taken in the plane indicated by line 44 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a section taken in the plane indicated by line 5-5 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a section taken through a casting mold during 3,451,879 Patented June 24, 1969 one phase of the operation wherein a stringed matrix is embedded in an acrylic panel; and

FIG. 7 shows a succeeding phase in the casting operation.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a string composition produced by a technique in accordance with the present invention, the composition comprising a pattern 10 of strands wound about a translucent matrix 11 which is embedded in an equally translucent panel 12 which may be set upright on one edge or held within a rectangular picture frame 13. The frame '13 may be suspended from the ceiling or supported from the wall by a wire hanger 14. It will be appreciated that the invention is by means limited to picture sizes, and that large-scale string compositions may also be produced embedded in panels of window size and larger. 1

The matrix and panel are made of cast acrylic sheeting. Such material exhibits crystal clarity, high impact strength, formability, as well as high resistance to sunlight and most chemicals. While the material is shown as transparent, it can also be made in colored translucent form, and in that event, both the matrix and the panel must be of the same color in order that the matrix elfectively merges optically with the panel so that it is not readily visible. Acrylic materials such as Lucite and Plexiglas, as is well known, transmit and. diffuse light efficiently.

Matrix 11, in the form shown, is a square clear sheet of acrylic material whose four edges are notched so that each edge has an equal number of equi-spaced notches 11A cut thereon. These notches serve to receive and hold the wires or strands 10 wound about the matrix. Obviously, not all of the notches need be used in creating a design, and the artist is free to select those notches necessary to his design. The strands may be in the form of differently colored threads of cotton, linen, nylon, metallic yarn, or any other suitable filamentary material. The artist is able to compose abstract patterns by his choice of notches in stringing the threads on the matrix as well as by the color and material of the strings. It will be evident that a broad range of abstract composition is possible even when using a square matrix, as shown.

With a square matrix, the string composition is erected in two closely parallel planes, one for each face of the matrix. It is to be understood, however, that the matrix may take a variety of other geometric, amorphous or irregular forms. The matrix need not be sheet-like, hence three-dimensional effects may be created. In all instances, however, the panel dimensions must be sufiicient to encompass the matrix.

When the stringed matrix is embedded in panel 12, since the matrix and panel materials are identically translucent or transparent, the viewer is unable to distinguish therebetween, as a result of which the matrix is optically dissolved within the panel and the string composition then appears to float within the panel without support. The apparent freedom of the string composition from a sup porting armature affords an unusual experience, for the abstract composition can then be enjoyed in its purest aesthetic form.

Because of the light-transmitting properties of acrylic material, one may illuminate the composition internally, rather than from an external source directed at the panel. Thus a source of light may be incorporated within the surrounding frame 13-, and the resultant light rays will be picked up only by the strings, so that the illumination will then appear to be generated by the strings rather than reflected thereby. By the use of color and translucent string material, a variety of exceptionally interesting optical effects may be obtained with such internal lighting.

In the making of the string composition, the first step is to string the matrix 11 in the manner described above. Then it is necessary to cast the panel and to embed the matrix therein. This is accomplished by an acrylic casting technique in which the raw material is a liquid monomer. This monomer, under proper treatment, has the property of reacting with itself chemically to set into a solid polymer. If during this chemical action, the monomer is confined within a mold of the desired form, the resulting polymer will assume the shape of the mold. In sheet casting, the mold need be nothing more than two polished plate-glass sheets with a suitable spacing gasket to confine the liquid so that the finished solid casting consists of a polymer sheet having two faces exactly reproducing the surfaces of the glass mold. No further finishing is necessary, although if desired, the acrylic surfaces may be brought to a high polish by bufling machines.

Monomeric methyl methacrylate is a water-white liquid with a viscosity approximating water. Preparatory to casting in a mold such as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, constituted by a bottom glass plate 15 surrounded by a rectangular gasket 16, a suitable catalyst is introduced to thicken the monomer into a viscous syrup. The gasket is preferably an extruded elastomeric material such as plasticized polyvinyl chloride.

The syrup 17 is poured into the mold so that it is filled to about half the thickness of the desired sheet or panel, and it is allowed to cure partially until the syrup is sufliciently gelled to support the string matrix. The matrix is then placed over the syrup in the half-filled mold, as shown in FIG. 6. The syrup is again poured into the mold to cover the matrix, as shown in FIG. 7, until the desired sheet thickness is obtained. Finally, a second glass sheet (not shown) is placed over the syrup in the loaded mold, and the mold is then placed in a curing oven.

If a colored acrylic is desired, suitable dyes or pigments may be added to the syrup. Bubbles and discoloration of the acrylic sheet can be avoided by expedients which are well known in the art. Stresses introduced during polymerization can be relieved by annealing the sheet.

Instead of embedding the strung matrix by a casting technique, the same result can be obtained by laminating the matrix in a press between two clear plastic panels. The matrix of the same material, such as vinyl, is preferably made very thin, and sufficient heat and pressure are applied to fuse together the matrix and panels, so that the matrix is optically dissolved in the panels and the string pattern then appears to float therein.

What I claim is:

1. The method of fabricating a string composition comprising the steps of winding colored strands about a threedimensional matrix having edge notches formed therein at predetermined spaced positions to receive said strands and hold them in place, said strands being wound about said matrix in intersecting paths to form an abstract composition, and embedding said strung matrix within a panel, said matrix and panel both being of transparent synthetic plastic material whereby said matrix is optically dissolved in said panel to effectively float said abstract composition within said panel.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said embedding is effected by casting said panel and introducing the matrix therein in the course of casting.

3. The method of fabricating a string composition comprising the steps of:

(a) winding colored strands about light transmitting acrylic matrix plate which is edge-notched at predetermined spaced positions to receive said strands, said strands being wound about said matrix in intersecting paths to form an abstract composition,

(b) filling a mold partially with a light transmitting acrylic monomer syrup,

(c) partially setting said syrup to gel same,

(d) placing the strung matrix on said partially set syrup, and

(e) filling the mold fully with said syrup to embed the matrix and curing the syrup to form the product.

4. A string composition comprising a cast panel of light transmitting acrylic material and a three-dimensioned matrix of the same material embedded in said panel and optically dissolved therein, said matrix having edge notches formed therein at predetermined spaced positions, and colored strands received in said notches and wound about said matrix in intersecting paths to provide an abstract string composition which appears to float in said panel.

5. A composition as set forth in claim 4, wherein said matrix is constituted by a rectangular sheet of acrylic material which is edge-notched to accommodate and hold said strands.

6. A composition as set forth in claim 4, wherein said panel and matrix are of transparent material.

7. A composition as set forth in claim 4, wherein said panel and matrix are of the same colored translucent material.

8. A composition as set forth in claim 4, wherein said matrix is of irregular shape.

9. A composition as set forth in claim 4, wherein said strands are formed of mnlti-colored threads.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,268,145 4/1918 Pease 16l143 XR 2,081,538 5/1937 Hoarle 161-5 XR 2,303,777 12/1942 Warshaw 161142 3,250,572 6/1944 Schweigert 16l--6 XR 2,657,589 11/1953 Sampson 264-271 XR 2,747,230 5/1956 Magnus.

3,072,973 1/1963 Barnette 264271 XR 3,186,866 6/1965 Claeys 1616 FOREIGN PATENTS 402,633 12/ 1933 Great Britain.

ROBERT F. BURNETT, Primary Examiner.

WILLIAM A. POWELL, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 156-63, 172, 242; 16l-6, 18, 43, 45, 116; 264 279 

